July Greetings from Hedgehog Books!

Keep those kids reading over the summer!

Congratulations to Sandy of Los Angeles, California, our winner in the first Hedgie Tshirt giveaway! We have another Hedgie Tshirt drawing running now - the winner will be selected on July 15 - and we'll have a third one starting up on July 16th with a winner selected on August 1st. If you'd like to enter, click here . Or, take a look at our cute Hedgie Tshirts and help promote reading aloud to kids!

Click this link to visit our homepage - Featured books, grade level lists, series, Top 10s, categories, and search.

Click this link for your very own copy of Hedgie's Monthly Newsletter. If you like this newsletter, please email it to a friend!

Recommended this month (for little ones)

 Hello, Hello! When two lions meet, how do they say hello? They rub their foreheads together! With this fun and informative look at animal behavior, you can find out how various animals say hello to each other. Children LOVE the brightly textured oil illustrations so "touchable" they look like real fur or feathers...as the case may be. This wonderful introduction to animal greeting behavior is PERFECT for inquisitive minds, or for anyone who adores cute animals showing affection...including the humans on the last page! This is an engaging book to share with your little ones, ages 2 to 5.






Recommended this month (For Early Reader)

 When Lightning Comes in a Jar Come to a family reunion! Every year, the family rituals are the same: There's the great feast with at least a gazillion different kinds of Jell-O. There's the croquet game where no one can agree on the rules...and best of all, there's storytelling time, when all the great-aunts pull out the family photo albums and try to top one another with their fantastic memories. But this year, Gramma has promised something new...she's going to teach them all how to catch lightning in a jar! Trisha doesn't know it yet, but "lightning in a jar" will become the most remembered ritual of all - one she will proudly share with generations to come.

As I see it, after all the madness of rushing here and there, accomplishing this and that, the important thing is your family...in whatever form that may take. This is a WONDERFULLY inspiring book. This is ideal to share with children 4 to 8, and perhaps their grandparents, too!



Recommended this month (for fluent readers)

The Art of Keeping Cool This is the winner of the Scott 'O Dell Award for Historical Fiction. Fear permeates the Rhode Island coastal town where Robert lives out the war with his grandparents. Fear of Nazi submarines offshore. Fear of Abel Hoffman, the German artist living reclusively outside of town. And for Robert, a more personal fear, of his hot-tempered, controlling grandfather.

In beautiful fashion, the author pulls the reader into 1940s wartime America. Themes covered are prejudice, family dynamics, loss, and the ramifications of going against the tide. This is a powerful story that will find fans from mystery lovers to WWII buffs...and it is definitely one to discuss with children. If you do nothing else, talk about the destructive power of hate. This is a great historical novel for children 11 to 15.




Our Featured Book this Month...

 Coraline Critically acclaimed and award-winning adult author Neil Gaiman delights readers with his first novel for all ages, written for his daughter.
When Coraline steps through the locked door in her family's new flat, she finds a world which caters to her every whim. But when she wants to leave, things turn very unpleasant, very quickly. To save other trapped children, to save her parents, and to save herself, Coraline must fight with all her wits and courage in a tale of good and evil that will enchant readers, ages nine and up.
CORALINE is not for everyone. It is hauntingly creepy, and hard to put down. In fact it is so deliciously frightening, I found myself wondering WHY I was reading it late at night! Having said that, I want to say that I adore Coraline and her strength of character. This is one brave kid! Not only does she save the day, she's a fine role model for children everywhere.




Reading Tip From Hedgie

I just looked at the calendar and realized that we'll be back in the classroom teaching a new group of students in six weeks! (I am excited already!) Many, many hours of work go into a teacher's preparation for the new year. Make sure you do your part to prepare your children for the new school year by having them read every day. Given enough exposure, children will learn that books are the ultimate vacation from everyday life...and summer is the perfect time to start a new book!


What? Another Book Report?!
Our Grade level reading lists can help you and your children choose the right books.

Great Books for Me Too?

Research has proven how important it is to model reading to children. Now
at Hedgehog Books we've made that even easier. Check out our Techie's Grown-up Books Page .

P is for Peril Want something a little lighter? The 16th Sue Grafton mystery starring Kinsey Milhone is one of the best in the series, with a different kind of ending. It's always fun to figure out whodunit with Kinsey and her amiable costars, and you may guess early, but you won't know for sure until you get to the end. This is a fun, quick read and a great 'beach/pool book.'






Have you got a question for Hedgie?
Don't forget our " Ask a Teacher " page. Hedgie's professional teaching staff is there to answer all of your literary questions. Hedgie loves to help!

Hedgie's Friends

Be sure to visit all of Hedgie's friends! By shopping at www.greatergood.com a percentage of your purchase can be donated to the charity of your choice including The Breast Cancer Site, Hunger Site, and The Rainforest Site. At www.ebates.com you'll get back cash with every purchase you make from Hedgehogbooks. You'll also find us at the online shopping mall, www.mall.com . Take a look at us in the Kids' Corner under Courtyard Shopping.

Until next month,

Hedgie

If you would rather not receive Hedgie's monthly newsletter, please click here . Or, just reply to this email with 'remove' in the subject and we'll remove you.